City staff have recently received reports of campaign signs in private yards and the public right‑of‑way being destroyed or removed without permission. Under Kansas law, intentionally damaging or removing another person’s property, including yard signs, may constitute criminal damage to property and can lead to fines or other penalties.
In addition, to help candidates and supporters place their yard signs correctly, the City of Topeka offers the following guidance for political signage during the upcoming elections:
Timing:
Signs may be placed no earlier than 45 days before an election and must be removed within 2 days after Election Day.
Only during that period are signs permitted in the public right‑of‑way between the curb or edge of road and the sidewalk.
Location:
The public right‑of‑way typically extends 15 feet behind the curb, or 1 foot behind the public sidewalk in residential areas.
Utility poles often mark the boundary of the right‑of‑way.
Signs can only be placed on private property with the consent of the property owner.
Prohibited Placements:
Attached to utility poles or traffic control devices
Within site triangles at intersections
After the third day following Election Day
Signs larger than 6 square feet in residential zoning districts under one acre, or larger than 32 square feet elsewhere
Enforcement and Removal:
The City will issue a written notice to the candidate or sign owner to correct violations within 3 days.
Uncorrected signs will be impounded and held for 10 business days; thereafter they will be disposed of.
To reclaim a sign before disposal, the owner must pay any outstanding fines plus removal and storage fees.
